HEALTH bosses have agreed measures to ensure patients have access to round-the-clock cover from GPs across North Yorkshire.

However, it will mean Saturday morning surgeries offered by some doctors' practices will cease after Oct- ober 1.

The four primary care trusts (PCTs) in the county have reached agreement with the North Yorkshire Emergency Doctors (NYED) co-operative over out-of-hours cover following the national implementation of a new NHS contract for GP practices, which came into force in April.

One of the consequences is that, from October, GPs in Hambleton and Richmondshire are handing over responsibility for access to out-of-hours cover to the PCT.

Many GP practices already use NYED to provide out-of-hours service, so the main difference will be administrative.

Under the new arrangements, many local GPs will continue to work shifts for NYED ensuring patients continue to see experienced doctors with local knowledge.

But the difference is that the practices will no longer be responsible for providing and paying for the services.

Where Saturday morning surgeries at some GP practices in Hambleton are discontinued after October 1, patients will access any urgent treatment through the out-of-hours service.

The PCT said the move would bring those practices into line with most of GP practices in the region, where Saturday morning surgeries have not been provided for years.

Director of primary care Madeline Ruff said: "Patients will continue to receive a safe, high quality, local service, and they will still call their GP practice to access out-of-hours services, as they do now.

"Alternatively, patients who call NHS Direct will have their details automatically transferred to NYED, if they need urgent medical attention, so that the patient does not have to make a second phone call.

"At the same time, the four PCTs will be taking the opportunity to work on a detail-ed plan about how to develop services in the future to ensure out-of-hours cover is not just maintained, but developed."

Leaflets explaining the changes will be available at GP practices and libraries. Alternatively, contact the PCT on (01845) 573853 or access the document on the website www.hambrichpct.org.uk